December outdid itself this year. It held festivities as December does- at work and at home, in Connecticut, in Texas, abroad- shared with friends and loved ones. There were photo sessions and Santa parties. We took a real vacation which looked like Ty's first trip across the pond. We had a white Christmas shared with our favorite Aussies and the deepest freeze that couldn't keep us indoors. We wrapped up 2017, which definitely had it's share of challenges and broken bits, with a month full to the brim of reminders that life- albeit messy at times- is a gift. All is grace, said Saint Therese of Lisieux. Indeed.
December 1: The big guy himself lit the tree in West Hartford. Naturally, we attended. Our whole little town seemed to show up. I see a tradition in the making.
December 2: The big guy himself kinda showed up all over the place in December. As he does.
December 3: Stealth peek-a-boo. She loves the basement windows.
December 4: I call this one scramble-for-a-photo work selfie.
December 5: December dinners.
December 6: The day before a follow up with my oncologist, a photo inspired by Sally Mann. It's hard not to feel betrayed, at times, by a body that gave me cancer. But I am grateful it was caught early, that it was treatable, that it is behind us. And I was so anxious before that appointment, but when the doctor said her goodbye she said, "I couldn't make you healthier if I wanted to."
December 7: Millie inserted herself into our holiday decor at every opportunity.
December 8: We did a women-in-surgery feature for Connecticut Children's, and it was my favorite project to date.
December 9: A quick trip to Texas for a few photo sessions meant I got to share some holiday magic with Jameson.
December 10: Said trip to Texas meant I also got to share some holiday magic with Quinn.
December 11: See what I mean about Millie?
December 12: The creepiest, funniest cat toy.
December 13: I took a similar photo with Albert in November. I loved the way our holiday decor came together. The house felt so cheery all month.
December 14: I missed the first snowfall because I was in Texas. Waking up to the second one several days later didn't disappoint.
December 15: England and the fog of jet-lag and being with Ty's sister and her crew. So. Good.
December 16: The Hall at Christ Church at Oxford, University, which inspired the Great Hall at Hogwarts in Harry Potter. Of all the places we visited in England, both Ty and I loved Oxford the most.
December 17: When I met her she was a little kid, and she's become such a young lady. I need time to take a chill pill.
December 18: Take any given kid shopping during the holidays, and this moment is likely to happen at some point. Especially in London.
December 19: As soon as our trip was planned, Mike requested family photos in London. Check.
December 20: Cookie decorating. These two...
December 21: When your auntie tells you to shout a word your mom won't let you say. And school uniforms. Win.
December 22: Any time we come home from a trip the animals make their presence known for days afterwards.
December 23: The Aussies arrived! Also a continuation of the case study of the animals making their presence known post-travel.
December 24: I may have been far from all the Blinns, but we brought some Blinning to Christmas.
December 25: Waking up to a houseful of friends and snow falling on Christmas morning kicked off a day that I can only describe as near perfection. Such a great day.
December 26: When (read: very hard) puzzle requires lighting in a room where said lighting does not exist, Steve is your man.
December 27: Also, when your dryer breaks (read: during a snowstorm and when your house has four extra people and all the snow related laundry), Steve is your man. Are you sensing a theme?
December 28: Wherein an evening with Texas friends and Australian friends turned into makeover day for Al.
December 29: So. Much. Spot It. Which in turn produces so much competition. And laughter. And competition (I'm looking at you, Cass).
December 30: When you have snow that has frozen to that slick icy state, definitely send the 6-year-old down the hill, starting at the no sledding sign.
December 31: It was all of 8 degrees fahrenheit outside when we took family photos. It was in the middle of a colder-than-usual snap, and their visit was shockingly cold. Still, I love that in ten minutes we made some great family photos. The final shoot of the year. Which I think I posted on Instagram as the first shoot of 2018. I lost track of time because December was that damn good.